Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: A potential expansion of the Council of Ministers in Jammu and Kashmir is anticipated following the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting and subsequent consultations with National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, according to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Chief Minister Abdullah made these remarks on Wednesday while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar. He indicated that the government would finalize its decision regarding the cabinet expansion after the GST Council meeting and discussions with the party president.
Addressing recent administrative changes, the Chief Minister noted that while some transfers were initiated by the elected government, others were carried out by the Lieutenant Governor. He affirmed the government’s commitment to working collaboratively with officers appointed across various departments.
Regarding the pending recruitment rules for Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), the Chief Minister stated that the rules are nearing completion and are in the finalization stage. He explained that discrepancies between the initially framed rules and proposed amendments are being reconciled. The government aims to avoid any procedural haste that could lead to implementation challenges, emphasizing that the recruitment rules are expected to be formally notified soon.
In the realm of sports infrastructure, the administration is pursuing a dual strategy of expanding facilities and appointing coaches to enhance training opportunities for young athletes throughout Jammu and Kashmir. An Olympic-size swimming pool has been established in Kashmir, with provisions for solar-powered heating to enable year-round training. Additionally, an indoor gymnastics hall has been inaugurated, addressing the noted interest among children in Kashmir for gymnastics despite a lack of adequate infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also highlighted efforts to broaden the spectrum of sports available to the youth, moving beyond traditional disciplines such as cricket, football, hockey, and volleyball to offer more diverse athletic options.
Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 25 years in public life, Chief Minister Abdullah acknowledged the difficulty of sustained electoral success, extending congratulations on behalf of himself and his colleagues.
Responding to protests concerning the Chief Election Commissioner, Abdullah questioned the government’s inaction in initiating defamation proceedings against The Indian Express, suggesting that such a step would likely have been taken if the newspaper’s reporting had been inaccurate. He characterized the ongoing protests as part of a program announced by INDIA bloc leaders after their recent meeting in Delhi.
On the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister voiced concerns that the exercise could be exploited to interfere with electoral processes. Referencing the prior delimitation exercise, he alleged that its primary objective was to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that the region had already experienced such interference and had not forgotten the implications of the delimitation process. Chief Minister Abdullah expressed hope that ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court, particularly concerning Form 6, would create greater obstacles to the exclusion of individuals from electoral rolls.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
